High above La Paz, Bolivia, sits El Alto—one of Latin America’s fastest-growing cities, and one of its toughest places to live. Overcrowding, crime, poverty and broken infrastructure define daily life. Chaotic streets and ever-present danger cause survival to take priority over one’s dreams. For many families, especially those new to the city, hope is in short supply.
But God is working through education, even in the hardest places.
Sandra and her husband, Jose, know the weight of life in El Alto all too well. Jose works long hours in construction, scraping together what little income he can. Sandra washes clothes by hand in freezing water and cleans homes when she has time. Like so many in their neighborhood, they work tirelessly just to survive.
Education always felt out of reach—not because they didn’t value it, but because they couldn’t access it. Without formal education themselves, Sandra and Jose couldn’t help their three children with schoolwork. They wanted to, but they didn’t know how.
Then one day, a neighbor told Sandra about a nearby Children and Family Center—a place where kids could receive homework help, eat a hot meal and play in safety. Desperate but unsure, Sandra decided to visit. Jose felt more skeptical. In El Alto, trust is hard-earned. But Sandra held on to a quiet hope.
She brought her children and stayed the entire afternoon, watching and listening. She returned the next day, and the next. For a full week, Sandra stayed by her children’s side, waiting to see if this center was the real deal.
It was!
Education and Faith Change Lives
The pastor and his wife, who run the program, noticed Sandra’s consistent presence and asked if she’d like to help in the kitchen once a week. She said yes. Now, every Wednesday, Sandra serves with joy, grateful to give back to the place that’s given her family so much.
Their investment in Sandra and her family has made a real difference!
Sandra’s daughter, once behind in school, had improved so dramatically that her teacher asked what had changed. Sandra shared the story, and the word spread. More children from the neighborhood began attending the Children and Family Center. They all craved the same support, nourishment and care.
Now, each week, the Children and Family Center welcomes around 80 children. It offers something rare in El Alto: a place where children feel safe, where families feel seen and where the love of Christ is lived out every day.
This is what happens when the church steps into hard places with hope. When we offer education, it restores people’s dignity. When we serve meals, hearts soften. And when we share the gospel, God transforms lives!
Take a Step of Faith
Each Children and Family Center supports up to 75 children every year—offering safety, education and hope in the heart of Bolivia’s most vulnerable communities.
Your gift of $100 will give one child a full year of care, nutritious meals and life-changing support. If you can give more, your generosity will reach even more families, and their gratitude will last a lifetime.
Please pray for families like Sandra’s and for the continued impact of Children and Family Centers across Bolivia. In a city overwhelmed by fear and hardship, God is building something new through His people. Through your prayerful support, He is building a future full of hope.
